Distribution patterns of toxic metals in the marine oyster Saccostrea cucullata from the Arabian Sea in Oman: spatial, temporal, and size variations

The variations in size and spatial and temporal variations in concentrations of toxic metals (cadmium, mercury, and lead) in oyster tissues were studied. Samples were collected at monthly intervals over a 1-year period from three locations along the southern coast of Oman (Mirbat, Hadbeen, and Sadah). Cadmium and lead were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer, and mercury was analyzed using a direct mercury analyzer. The annual mean concentrations in oyster tissues sampled from the three locations and from different time periods ranged from 2.64 to 3.80 mg kg(-1) for cadmium, 0.009 to 0.02 mg kg(-1) for lead, and 0.01 to 0.02 mg kg(-1) for mercury. The temporal effect on cadmium concentrations was more distinct than the local site-specific effect, with higher concentrations recorded in tissues during the summer season than in the winter season. Moreover, within each site, a significant time-specific dependence on the toxic metal concentration differences was recorded. Lipid content was found to influence mercury concentrations in the oysters; however, there was no relationship between cadmium or lead and moisture or lipid content. No distinct relationships were observed between the size of oysters and metal uptake by the oyster. The results were discussed in relation to those obtained from related species in the seas of Oman and worldwide.